Ben Cross

**Harry Bernard Cross**, known professionally as **Ben Cross**, was an accomplished English actor with a career spanning nearly five decades, from 1973 until his death in 2020. He gained renown for his portrayal of British Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams in the Oscar-winning film 'Chariots of Fire' (1981), and for originating the role of Billy Flynn in the West End production of the hit musical 'Chicago'. Born in London, he embarked on his acting journey after being accepted into the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) at the age of 22. Cross's career began with stage performances at The Dukes theatre in Lancaster and later he joined the Prospect Theatre Company and played roles in numerous plays. His big-screen debut came with a role in the Second World War epic, 'A Bridge Too Far' (1976). As his career progressed, Cross performed a wide variety of roles in theatrical, film, and television productions. In the 1980s, he played notable roles in 'The Citadel,' a BBC Television dramatisation and 'The Far Pavilions,' a mini-series for HBO. By the early 2000s, Cross was a recognised face in multiple high-profile films and television series, including an appearance as the Vulcan Sarek in the 2009 reboot of 'Star Trek'. In 2012, he joined the cast of the original series 'Banshee' as Rabbit, a ruthless Ukrainian gangster. Not only was Cross an esteemed actor but he also ventured into directing, screenwriting, and music, penning lyrics for an album with Bulgarian singer Vasil Petrov and contributing to various English-language publications. His dedication, versatility, and talent left an indelible mark on the performing arts.